Sri Lanka suffered a narrow 0–1 defeat against Nepal in their second outing of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026, played in Malé, Maldives on Wednesday. Despite the loss, the young Sri Lankan side delivered a spirited performance and remained firmly in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

Coming into the match, Sri Lanka were high on confidence after scripting history in their opening game with a thrilling 3–2 victory over hosts Maldives. That win marked their first Under-20 triumph against Maldives since 2002, ending a 24-year wait and boosting morale within the squad.

Riding on that momentum, Sri Lanka started positively against Nepal, showing intent and discipline across the pitch. However, the decisive moment came in the 21st minute when Subash Bam found the back of the net to give Nepal the lead.

Sri Lanka responded strongly after conceding, pressing forward in search of an equalizer. Their attacking movements created several promising opportunities, but a combination of missed chances and resolute defending by Nepal denied them a breakthrough.

Luck also seemed to evade the Sri Lankan side, as their efforts in the final third failed to yield results.

Defensively, Sri Lanka remained organized and prevented further damage, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle. Their fighting spirit and determination were evident throughout the match, reflecting the team’s growing confidence and cohesion.

Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka still have a strong chance of progressing to the semi-finals. They currently sit second in the group table with three points, just behind Nepal, and will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures.

The 42nd Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Novices Badminton Championship successfully concluded on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on a week of competitive action held at the MBA courts.

Around 400 players representing nearly 50 companies took part in this year’s tournament, which was conducted in two categories, Feather and Nylon, giving opportunities for players of different levels to compete across several age groups in singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.

In the Feather category, Ceyline, Interglobe, DPMC, People’s Leasing, HNB and KBSL won titles in different classes. Shivangi Sigera of Interglobe emerged as one of the standout players, winning the Women’s Singles Feather title and also partnering Vishmi Athukorala to win the Women’s Doubles Feather event. Gavin Moragoda of KBSL also had an impressive tournament, winning the Men’s Singles Feather title and the Men’s Doubles Feather title with Pramud Weerasuriya. Hayleys players reached multiple finals and secured podium finishes in several events, showing strong depth in the Feather competition, which was played at a higher competitive level.

In the Nylon category, Seylan Bank dominated the tournament with victories in several events, including Mixed Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Women’s Singles, making them the most successful team in this division. Kavindu Gayantha played a key role in Seylan Bank’s success, winning the Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles titles and finishing runner-up in the Men’s Singles. DFCC, DPMC, LOLC, Enterprise Analytics, SDB, CDB, NTB and Hayleys also produced title winners.

The annual novices championship is one of the key events in the Mercantile Badminton Association calendar and continues to attract a high number of new players, highlighting the growing interest in badminton among the mercantile sector. Sponsored by Lining and Hundred

The Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation has ushered in a new era for the sport by appointing Greek coach Petroglou Petros as Head Coach of the National Volleyball Team. His arrival signals a strategic push to elevate Sri Lanka’s standing on the international stage and to modernize the country’s approach to training and player development.

Petros, a Level 3 international coach with a wealth of experience across Europe, the Gulf region, and South Asia, touched down in Colombo yesterday. He was welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport by Federation Vice President Commander Mahesh Kariyawasam, underscoring the importance placed on his appointment.

Known for introducing structured development systems and modern training techniques, Petros has worked extensively with both junior and senior squads. Officials believe his expertise will not only strengthen the national team’s competitiveness but also create a clear pathway for emerging talent to progress into the senior ranks.

The Federation views this appointment as a turning point, aiming to blend international coaching standards with Sri Lanka’s homegrown talent. With Petros at the helm, expectations are high that the national team will embrace a more disciplined, scientific, and globally aligned approach to the game.